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-THE BK
Issue Of Celibacy Suggested Topic
For Sermons Of Priests' Association
On the premise that it is
more important to educate
parishioners than to pass resolutions, the Associaton of Toledo Priests has asked its 100
members to preach at Masses
this weekend on priesthood
and celibacy.
The proposal is optional
with member priests, and all
were given a three-page detailed outline, the Rev. James
Bacik, ATP president, said.
Father Bacik, associate pastor of St. Thomas More Uni-
v e r s i t y Parish, Bowling
Green, 0., said the diocesan-
wide call is the association's
response to the World Synod
of Catholic Bishops which
opened Thursday to consider
for the next month the topics
of priesthood and celibacy and
world justice.
The priest, group, which represents about one-third of the
diocesan priests in northwest
Ohio, supplied the sermon outline to all diocesan and priests
from religious orders serving
the diocese, as well as to
Bishop John A. Donovan,
Father Bacik said.
Notes "Not Neutral'
"The background notes are
not neutral," Father Bacik
said. "They come out in favor
: of optional celibacy, point out
• its value when it is freely chosen, and how it can help men
to serve the people. But," Father Bacik continued, "celibacy is not essential to the priesthood," and the suggested sermon makes that point clear.
Although the Association
does not have official status —
THE REV. JAMES BACIK.
Priett association head
as does the Priests' Senate —it
was organized as a vehicle to
"upgrade our professional
competence," Father Bacik
said. He explained that the association's initial call for a
diocesan-wide sermon for the '
topic of the priesthood and celibacy will be followed by other programs which will help
the priests to serve their parishioners.
For example, in mid-November, an educational program will help educate priests
on the "pastoral handling of
second marriages."
Background Provided
A committee headed by the
Rev. Clancy Yeager drew up
the homily outline on the
priesthood and celibacy which
provides e_tensive background information on the topic.
Among the highlights of the
proposed sermon are the following:
► The priesthood is in turmoil.
► The World Synod of Bish-
ips is meeting because of the
crisis in the priesthood.
^ Celibacy has been demanded of priests in the western church for 800 years.
*■ History shows celibacy is
not essential to the priesthood
and at least 40 of the 262
Popes contracted legal, valid
marriages.
!*► Perhaps the demand for
optional celibacy at Ms point
in history is an impulse of the
Holy Spirit.
► Celibacy would be more
meaningful if freely chosen.
Studies show most priests
would not marry if given the
option, but they want freedom
of choice in the matter.
*■* Obligatory celibacy laws
developed after the writings of
St. Augustihe, a priest "who
lived for 11 years "in a sexual
union with a woman and later
felt very guilty about it."
^-Mandatory celibacy keeps
many men from entering the
priesthood in a day when
there is much emphasis on
companionship, love, etc. Similarly, many talented men are
forced out of the priesthood.
God has called men to be
priests to serve his Gospel.
The church continued in each
age to put that priesthood in a
form which is meaningful to
that age.

-THE BK
Issue Of Celibacy Suggested Topic
For Sermons Of Priests' Association
On the premise that it is
more important to educate
parishioners than to pass resolutions, the Associaton of Toledo Priests has asked its 100
members to preach at Masses
this weekend on priesthood
and celibacy.
The proposal is optional
with member priests, and all
were given a three-page detailed outline, the Rev. James
Bacik, ATP president, said.
Father Bacik, associate pastor of St. Thomas More Uni-
v e r s i t y Parish, Bowling
Green, 0., said the diocesan-
wide call is the association's
response to the World Synod
of Catholic Bishops which
opened Thursday to consider
for the next month the topics
of priesthood and celibacy and
world justice.
The priest, group, which represents about one-third of the
diocesan priests in northwest
Ohio, supplied the sermon outline to all diocesan and priests
from religious orders serving
the diocese, as well as to
Bishop John A. Donovan,
Father Bacik said.
Notes "Not Neutral'
"The background notes are
not neutral," Father Bacik
said. "They come out in favor
: of optional celibacy, point out
• its value when it is freely chosen, and how it can help men
to serve the people. But," Father Bacik continued, "celibacy is not essential to the priesthood," and the suggested sermon makes that point clear.
Although the Association
does not have official status —
THE REV. JAMES BACIK.
Priett association head
as does the Priests' Senate —it
was organized as a vehicle to
"upgrade our professional
competence," Father Bacik
said. He explained that the association's initial call for a
diocesan-wide sermon for the '
topic of the priesthood and celibacy will be followed by other programs which will help
the priests to serve their parishioners.
For example, in mid-November, an educational program will help educate priests
on the "pastoral handling of
second marriages."
Background Provided
A committee headed by the
Rev. Clancy Yeager drew up
the homily outline on the
priesthood and celibacy which
provides e_tensive background information on the topic.
Among the highlights of the
proposed sermon are the following:
► The priesthood is in turmoil.
► The World Synod of Bish-
ips is meeting because of the
crisis in the priesthood.
^ Celibacy has been demanded of priests in the western church for 800 years.
*■ History shows celibacy is
not essential to the priesthood
and at least 40 of the 262
Popes contracted legal, valid
marriages.
!*► Perhaps the demand for
optional celibacy at Ms point
in history is an impulse of the
Holy Spirit.
► Celibacy would be more
meaningful if freely chosen.
Studies show most priests
would not marry if given the
option, but they want freedom
of choice in the matter.
*■* Obligatory celibacy laws
developed after the writings of
St. Augustihe, a priest "who
lived for 11 years "in a sexual
union with a woman and later
felt very guilty about it."
^-Mandatory celibacy keeps
many men from entering the
priesthood in a day when
there is much emphasis on
companionship, love, etc. Similarly, many talented men are
forced out of the priesthood.
God has called men to be
priests to serve his Gospel.
The church continued in each
age to put that priesthood in a
form which is meaningful to
that age.